Love With A Stranger

by Taylor, Janelle

  Cass was overjoyed by the prospect of renewing their friendship and looked forward to speaking with Kristy next week.

  Cass admitted to herself that her affection and respect for Brad’s family was one of the main reasons she had married him, and was the only reason she hadn’t divulged the dirty truth about him to his parents, though Kristy was aware of her brother’s dual—probably more—infidelities. Brad had duped her about his love and good character, and she had duped herself about the depth of her feelings for him. After dating him for so long, it had seemed natural to marry him. She recalled how Brad had taken five years to finish college because of laziness and failed courses, and how he had taken a “much needed and deserved rest” for a month after he graduated, and how he had done nothing else for three months while taking a real estate course, then waited around for his license to arrive.

  It was during his “last break” before employment that she had suffered a miscarriage, unaware she was pregnant by accident. Afterward, they had returned to their original plan of not having children until she finished college, they were established in their careers or jobs, and were financially secure. She had begun college in January, before turning twenty-four in June. She had worked hard and made excellent grades, and taken care of the apartment and errands by herself in between classes and studying.

  In May, Brad, like Tom, had surprised her with a house he had purchased without her knowledge, a deal he said was too good to pass up. She had tried to get him to cancel the contract. She had told him they couldn’t afford it, that she feared the extra expense would force her to quit school. Yet, nothing she said had changed his mind as he argued he knew the housing and financing markets better than she did.

  In June, heavy rains and flooding had attacked Augusta; and they lost everything because they didn’t have flood insurance. They had moved to a small apartment, one that had bugs, bad lighting, and smelled. That was two months before she discovered Brad’s adultery when she overheard a phone conversation between him and a woman.

  She had been a fool to accept his claims about it being a mistake, that he loved only her, and it would never happen again. He even convinced her she was partly to blame because she was too tired and busy for him. He also placed blame on job pressures, the trauma of the flood, the stress of having to continue paying for a house that was gone, and the beatings his ego and pride had taken from his mistakes.

  She had been stupid to believe and forgive him! Yet, he had pretended to be very attentive to her, going so far as to help out around the apartment and with errands to give her more time and energy to spend on him, on their relationship.

  Their split came that December when she returned home early from taking her last exam, having forgotten to tell him her test schedule had been changed. She would never forget the sights and sounds that greeted her after she reached the cramped apartment and found Brad in their bed with another woman.

  She hadn’t kept her discovery a secret as she was compelled to do with Tom’s situation. She had walked to the bedroom door and asked in a cold and sarcastic tone, “Will you please finish screwing her in a hurry, Brad, so I can get packed and get out?”

  Fortunately, she had found an inexpensive but clean apartment, received a school grant, divorced the snake, and finished two more quarters to complete her sophomore year. But the grant squeezed her budget too tightly, she was compelled to get a job during the day and go to night classes for the next three and a half years until graduation at age twenty-eight. Her degree and hard work were what earned her a promotion at Smooth Rider to administrative assistant to the company’s top manager.

  During the ensuing years, the men she dated were mainly interested in sex or in obtaining a compliant wife to replace a divorced spouse and to take care of them. A brief romance soured; her beloved parents were killed in that train wreck; and Thomas Ethan Grantham entered her life when she was thirty-two.

  She dated Tom for a year before succumbing to his persistent and romantic pursuit. He had convinced her their union would work and he would make her blissfully happy. With only her job in her life and with all of her close friends married and blessed with children, she had felt lonely and unfulfilled. She had heard her body clock ticking loudly and was tired of the dating scene. She wanted a home and family, a baby. Tom wore down her resistance with his vows of love and many golden promises. She even signed that prenuptial agreement to prove she wasn’t marrying him for his money.

  But life with him wasn’t what she had imagined. There was no real home during the first two years or even a future prospect of children; living with him was like being on a perpetual vacation, a fast and dizzying merry-go-around. As the hectic months rushed by, the fantasy faded and the golden promises tarnished, and she was forced to accept reality, but she still gave her best efforts to make the marriage work because she believed Tom loved her, and she believed she was fortunate to be his wife and she owed him loyalty. She had been a fool for a second time!

  Again, she had fallen in love with and wed a man who turned out to be a stranger and betrayer. She was glad she didn’t have children, because she didn’t want either of those sorry bastards to be the father of them, didn’t want to have emotional ties to either one. She had turned a deaf ear to Brad’s pleas to return to him. Why hadn’t she been that strong with Tom? Why had she allowed him to dominate and manipulate her, to change her? But she knew why: she desperately had wanted her second marriage to succeed.

  Cass pushed aside those remembrances and returned to her chores where she allowed those tasks and the radio to distract her.

  Shortly before noon, Peter phoned Cass to disclose he was being delayed by business and wouldn’t return home until Wednesday. “How are you doing and how are things going there?” he asked.

  “Fine. I’m getting stronger and better every day, and I’ve had no setbacks. I don’t have to visit Doctor Burkman’s office until the end of the month, and he’s taken me off of all medication.”

  “That’s wonderful, Cass, and I’m proud of you, but I was confident you could do it. Just make sure you don’t overdo or allow anything to stress you. Promise?”

  She wondered if Peter possessed the same devious streak as his father had and if Peter also was duping her. She shrugged away the dark thought. “I promise, and thanks for your concern. I’m glad you feel that way, because I got rid of one major irritation: Inez. I fired her yesterday and I’ve already hired a new housekeeper to come in twice a week. That’s really all the help I need.”

  She gave all the pertinent details about Mary Ellis and her family and revealed only that she was recommended by a “friend.”

  “I thought Inez was a wonderful housekeeper. Why did you fire her?”

  One by one Cass listed the many annoying reasons for Inez’s dismissal. “I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to continue working for you,” she ended. “She likes and respects you. I’m afraid Mary only had room in her schedule for one more job, so she won’t be available to you. I hope my decision won’t inconvenience you, but I had to get rid of Inez.”

  “I understand, Cass, and don’t worry about me. I can keep Inez on or use a cleaning service. The important thing is to keep you calm and happy. Did you give her proper notice and severence pay?” Peter asked as he realized he needed to phone the woman immediately to make sure Inez didn’t expose the secret they shared: the medication he had ordered slipped into Cass’s food and drink. If necessary, he would give the woman a large parting bonus for her help and loyalty and silence. Besides, he still needed a maid at least once a week.

  “Severence pay, yes, but no, I didn’t give her any notice. She was too hateful when I gave her the bad news.”

  “That’s a shame. She was always nice to me. If I had known there was a problem between you two, I would have tried to resolve your differences before they got out of control.”

  “I doubt you could have, Peter, because I spoke to her several times about her sorry attitude and belligerence. In fact, I
was totally blunt with her earlier this week; what I said went in one ear and out the other.”

  “When you hired Mrs. Ellis, did you get her Social Security number and alert our accountant to the change in employees? If not, I can handle it later for you.”

  “Mary told me she’s self-employed and pays her own taxes and Social Security. I’m to give her a weekly check. But I didn’t call Mr. Dredger; that never entered my mind.”

  “I’ll phone Harry next week, so don’t worry about it. We need to make sure Mrs. Ellis pays her taxes or we can get into trouble with the government.”

  “I’m sure Mary was being honest with me, but I understand you need to be careful; I’m sure she will, too.”

  “So, what else have you been doing since I left?”

  “A little redecorating and dealing with Tom’s possessions. It was just too painful to keep so many reminders of him around me all of the time. I have a lot of things I want you to go through before I decide their fates: his clothes, items in his office, his portrait that hung in the den, things like that. I went shopping Wednesday after you left. I purchased a new bed and redid the bedroom decor. I hope that doesn’t upset you.”

  “Why should it, Cass? The house is yours now, and I agree you don’t need to be reminded of Dad everywhere you look.”

  “Thank you, Peter; that makes me feel so much better. That was what provoked the final straw with Inez; she was furious with me about the changes. She said you would be too, but I told her you would understand and agree with what I had to do for my mental health.”

  Peter grinned as she talked, wishing he could have witnessed that old biddy jumping down Cass’s throat. So, in less than two months, she was pushing his father aside and perhaps making plans for her next conquest, though he couldn’t imagine her waiving her inheritance, even in the name of love. But either choice would suit him just fine. “I can certainly grasp why you kicked her out; it’s none of her business what you do with your home. Anything else exciting going on?” he asked and chuckled, then tensed as she responded in an unexpected manner.

  “I did see Mr. Johnson and Mr. Dredger like you suggested. The meetings were short and routine, I suppose.” Cass thought she heard his breathing alter, so she. thought it best to dupe him, as she suspected she was being deceived by him. “I took your advice, but it really wasn’t necessary because you covered everything with me last week. I told Mr. Dredger to continue paying the bills and handling the financial angle, unless he decides he wants me to take control of them. Is it all right if I skip meeting with the banker for a while? You’ve already explained the trust fund procedure to me, and I doubt I would understand all of those business technicalities. If there’s a problem or question, the executor can phone one of us, right?”

  “That’s right, so don’t subject yourself to a meeting until you feel up to it. Later, if you like, I’ll go with you. I’ll keep you informed in that area, and you’ll receive scheduled reports from the bank.”

  Good, it sounded as if she had him convinced she lacked all business acumen and interest in it. She was positive that pretending to seek his advice and permission in some areas would be fortuitous to her later, would continue their truce longer. “Tom made some good contributions to wonderful causes; his donations should be most helpful to them.”

  “It certainly helped us. If not for those charity and foundation bequests, Uncle Sam would have taken a huge bite out of our inheritances. Dad was clever in that area. He also made sure his name wouldn’t be forgotten.”

  Cass wondered, despite the fact Peter chuckled as if jesting, if that was bitterness, she heard in his tone. If so, why? If there was any past trouble between the two men, she didn’t know about it. Could it be that Peter had known or recently learned about his father’s dark side and detested it? She had one more bombshell to drop, then she moved the convesation onward swiftly to make it appear unimportant. “I had dinner last night at the Cloister with Doctor Burkman; it was sort of a present for getting well, and a wonderful one, since the food was delicious, the service excellent, and the music relaxing. As I told you, he doesn’t have to give me a check-up for two weeks. And this is news: I heard from an old friend this week; actually she was my best friend before I married your father. Rather, I should say, we’ve been playing telephone tag for two weeks. I decided to take your good advice about making friends and getting out of the house ocassionally; I’ll just have to figure out when and where to start, but it will be soon, I promise. So, what’s been happening with you?”

  As Peter was listening to her initial disclosure, he wondered if she was developing a romantic interest in her physician. If she was, should he ignore it, encourage it, or squash it? He would encourage it if he thought Jason would snap her up fast and get her out of his hair, but Jason might just be toying with her for fun or revenge. If he waited too long, Jason could have more sway over her than he did now. Perhaps he should romance Cass himself. That way, he would be assured of gaining control of the entire Grantham estate, which was rightfully his by birth and hard work. That greedy stepmother of his didn’t deserve anything more than she already had taken, and certainly not such a large percentage! He had no doubt he could win Cass with his charms and sexual skills. Even at nine years his senior, she was beautiful, and she had to be a hot number in bed to have captured a lusty sonofabitch like his father. If she wasn’t willing to lean in his direction, he could slip some of Hines’s magical powder into her food, drink, or headache capsules like he and Inez had done before. He bet himself that in less than five minutes he could have her writhing and moaning in ecstasy and begging him not to stop!

  After Cass finished talking, Peter sketched over his business appointments and mentioned having dinner or lunch with several old friends or acquaintances. “In fact, I’d better get going or I’ll be late for my racketball game. You take good care of yourself, Cass, and I’ll see you Wednesday night. Don’t worry about anything because I’ll be around to help you with any problems.”

  His final two sentences had seemed to ring with sincere affection and concern. Again she wondered if he had changed for the better and her suspicions were wrong. “I will, Peter, and the same to you. Thanks for calling; I really enjoyed our talk. I’ll see you Wednesday night.”

  As soon as she hung up the receiver, Cass lifted it again and phoned Jason, having committed his number to memory. Her heart raced for a few minutes when she heard his voice and she wondered if she was being forward and foolish.

  When no one responded to his “Hello,” he asked, “Who’s there?”

  “It’s Cass. I—”

  “Is anything wrong? Are you all right?” he interrupted to query her prior hesitation.

  She laughed. “No, I’m fine. Peter just phoned to say he won’t be returning until Wednesday, so I thought I would do something for you to repay you for a lovely evening last night. How about dinner at my house?”

  Damn, what lousy timing! “I wish I could, Cass, but I’m having dinner with a colleague and his wife. If it weren’t at their home and on such short notice, I’d invite you to accompany me. I’m playing golf with him and some other people in thirty minutes. You just caught me; I was heading out the door.”

  “That’s all right. Perhaps another time. I know you’re in a rush to get to the club, so I won’t delay you. Good-bye.”

  “Wait, Cass! I have to come home to shower and change clothes after our game and dinner isn’t until eight, so I could stop by for coffee or a drink beforehand, if that’s convenient. Say about sevenish?”

  “That’s fine with me, if you’re sure it won’t intrude on your schedule.”

  “Nope, and I’d like to make sure you’re doing okay.”

  “I am, Doctor Burkman, so stop worrying about me. See you around seven. ’Bye.”

  At ten past seven, Jason rang Cass’s rear doorbell. He smiled at her after she responded, delighted to spend even thirty minutes with her. She looked ravishing in a deep mauve satin lounging pantsuit. “I h
ope this isn’t inconveniencing you, and I’m sorry my time is so tight.”

  “Of course not. Please, come in.” She moved aside for him to enter the mudroom, then proceed to the kitchen. As she followed him, eyeing his broad shoulders and good posture, she said, “I didn’t put out any snacks because I assumed you’ll be having hors d’oeuvres and dinner soon and wouldn’t want to spoil your appetite. What would you like to drink?” she asked, halting at the white tiled counter.

  “What are you having?”

  Cass nodded toward the large clear glass with a green cactus stem. “A mischievous and delicious margarita since I’m not on medication anymore, thanks to you, so I don’t have to worry about any side effects.”

  “That sounds cooling and refreshing after a hot day on the course and a quick shower.” As he watched her measure and pour the tequila and mixer into a bottle and shake it, he said, “After I spoke with you, I phoned Sarah with hopes of being able to invite you along tonight, but I didn’t ask if I could bring a guest after I found out she already had five others coming; added to her and her husband and me, that fills a table for eight.” As she coated the wet rim to a matching glass with salt, which she had sprinkled on a piece of wax paper, then dropped an ice cube into it, he continued, “Besides, after I got Sarah on the phone, I decided I shouldn’t make that request without asking you first; and I wasn’t sure you were ready for meeting so many new people at once. I know how you women are about having notice to prepare for a night out; Traci used to take hours doing her hair and makeup and selecting her outfit.”

  Cass was glad he had mentioned his daughter rather than his deceased spouse or ex-wife. She smiled at him and said, “You were right, and most considerate.” After she poured his mintcolored beverage, she handed the decorative glass to him and said, “Here, taste this. See if you want more of anything. The mixer is cold, so I only used one ice cube; that means the last swallow will be as good and strong as the first.”